Ajax boss De Boer would take Spurs job over Barcelona

The 43-year-old appeared to rule out a job in Italy, while also suggesting he is in the market for a long-term project.

"I have never talked with Inter Milan, but I prefer the Premier League, Bundesliga and La Liga," de Boer is quoted by the Daily Express. "Italian football is very much in decline.

"I would not go to Barcelona. It is very difficult to be a coach there. What can you teach players like Messi and Iniesta?

"Tottenham talked informally with Ajax of my contract," he added. "I think they are quite happy with Tim Sherwood, but it is normal that they take information about a possible successor, as did Liverpool in the past.